Perfect Road Trip Pit Stop: Niboshi Ramen Yamaokaya at Forest Mall Kai Ryuo (One of Only 4 Branches in Japan)
On the drive back from Yamanashi Prefecture—a trip meant to keep my beloved Alfa Romeo 156 GTA in peak running condition—I decided to stop by Niboshi Ramen Yamaokaya, a spot that had caught my interest for quite a while.
Operated as a spin-off brand of the popular Ramen Yamaokaya chain, it is an exceptionally rare concept with only four locations across Japan at the time of writing. I was thrilled to finally visit before hopping on the Chuo Expressway back to Tokyo.
The shop is located inside Forest Mall Kai Ryuo, a commercial shopping complex. Thanks to the shared large parking lot, you rarely have to worry about finding a spot unless it is exceptionally crowded. Being open 24 hours also makes it ideal for timing your trip to avoid expressway traffic jams. Since I arrived fairly late in the evening, I was able to get seated right away without any wait.
[Restaurant Information]
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Name: Niboshi Ramen Yamaokaya Forest Mall Kai Ryuo
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Address: Inside Forest Mall Kai Ryuo, 1714-1 Tomitakeshinden, Kai, Yamanashi
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Hours: Open 24 Hours
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Closed: Open year-round
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Parking: Available (Shared mall parking lot)
Tasting the "Niboshi Tonkotsu Ramen" (¥860 Tax Incl.) and "Mountain Wasabi Rice" (¥320 Tax Incl.)
As it was my first time here, I ordered the standard "Niboshi Tonkotsu Ramen" (¥860 tax incl.) along with the "Mountain Wasabi Rice" (¥320 tax incl.), which had caught my attention in online reviews.
The ramen arrived served in a bowl branded with "Niboshi Ramen Yamaokaya," topped with tender chashu pork, bamboo shoots (menma), nori seaweed, and green onions.
Taking a sip of the broth with the soup spoon, I found it clean and remarkably easy to drink, neither overly rich nor too light. At the same time, the bold aroma and umami of the dried sardines come through distinctly, making it thoroughly satisfying for dried sardine lovers. Glancing at the menu, they also offer richer, more concentrated sardine broths as well as lighter variations, allowing you to tailor the flavor intensity to your preference.
The side dish, "Mountain Wasabi Rice," comes crowned with bonito flakes, shredded nori seaweed, green onions, and pungent grated mountain wasabi. Each bite delivers a sharp, nose-tingling kick of spiciness, pairing exceptionally well in both flavor and portion size with the leftover broth after finishing the noodles.
[Summary] The Perfect Pit Stop Before Hitting the Chuo Expressway: Excited for Future Openings
After thoroughly satisfying my appetite, I hopped directly onto the expressway and made it back to Tokyo non-stop.
With 24-hour service and a relaxed atmosphere outside peak hours, it serves as an incredibly useful dining spot when touring or driving through Yamanashi. According to the official website, a new location is also scheduled to open in Mizuho Town, Tokyo, so I will definitely make sure to visit once it opens.